So... What's the University of Washington/other universities in the vicinity like?

I’m a strapping young shaver looking for a college, and am looking into the Northwest (love the weather, and am a coffee addict) for my secondary education. Can anyone give me their personal opinions on the universities there, along with a brief runthrough of what I may expect (curricula, conditions in the city itself, atmosphere, cost of living, yada yada yada)?

Thanks. Sleep in peace tonight, that you have furthered a crazy youngun’s future a bit.

Here’s some info: http://www.washington.edu/
and http://www.seattleu.edu/